Trojans, Coats crowned at First Tee College Classic

LITTLE ROCK – It was clean sweep for the Trojans at the 24th annual Little Rock First Tee College Classic on Tuesday at Chenal Country Club. Little Rock took home first place as a team with a score of 856, while Zach Coats claimed individual medalist honors at 4 under par.

The Trojans’ team score of 856 was the second best in the 24-year history of the annual tournament, trailing only Lamar’s score of 832 in 2007.

The team win was Little Rock’s first at its hosted tournament since 2004, while Coats’ individual medalist honor was the first for a Trojan at the event since Patrick Sullivan in 2005. It was the first Little Rock sweep of championship honors at the tournament since 2001.

Including those Trojans who competed as individuals, Little Rock golfers took six of the tournament’s top 11 spots.

Little Rock began the final round with a four-stroke lead and pulled away for a 16-stroke win over SFA on Tuesday. The Lumberjacks were 12 over in the final round to finish with an 872. UT Arlington was third, finishing at 879.

Coats was tied for third place after 36 holes. He carded an even-par 72 in Tuesday’s final round to earn the one-stroke win over teammate George Trujillo and UT Martin’s Hunter Richardson. The victory was Coats’ first as a collegiate golfer.

Danial Durisic turned in a 1-over 73 in his final round to tie for seventh place at 1 over par. Noah Tullos fired a 3-under 69 to jump 28 spots into a tie for 11th place. Tullos finished the tournament at 3 over par. Logan Pate finished at 11 over par.

Competing as individuals, Tyler Reynolds and Brady Edwards turned in strong performances. Reynolds carded a 4-under 68 in the final round to finish at even par and tie for sixth place. Edwards tied for ninth place at 2 over par.

Also competing as individuals, Nico Parra was 13 over and Grady Bourguignon was 23 over.

Next up for Little Rock is the Redhawk Invitational in University Place, Wash., starting Monday, Apr. 3.